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So-called "smart airbags", mandated by new federal standards, aren't enough, say safety advocates, according to a report by the Associated Press.

The technology utilizes weight sensors in the front seats to detect whether drivers or passengers are too small to safely withstand the force of an air bag. The new airbags phase in beginning with 20 percent of 2004 vehicles, and will ultimately be on all new vehicles by Sept. 1, 2006.

Safety advocates, while praising the smart air bags, say it's still a lot smarter for drivers to put small passengers in the back seat.

"We want to make sure parents are clear: old air bag, new air bag, no air bag, kids are safer in the back seat properly restrained," said Ellen Engleman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Automakers agree that the advanced air bags are not the answer for small children. "This is just a safety net, not a primary means for keeping our children safe," said Scott Schmidt of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents ten automakers.

So far, is the only one of the Big Three installing the technology in passenger cars, in 2004 and sedans. General Motors has the advanced air bags in its 2003 and 2004 pickups and sport utility vehicles and Chrysler is installing the technology in the 2004 Jeep Liberty and Dodge Durango.

Vandalism Irks SUV Owners Group

America's fascination with SUVs gets weirder by the minute.

Following an episode of anti-SUV "domestic terrorism" in southern California, the SUV Owners of America (SUVOA) says in a press release that it is "delivering a petition with 6,065 supporter names to activist Arianna Huffington and other anti-SUV zealots, urging they stop encouraging groups like the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), which torched the West Covina auto dealership and has committed other recent acts of violence against SUVs and their owners."

The SUVO says in a press release that it is a "group [which] actively defends the rights of SUV owners and rebuts false charges regarding SUVs' safety and environmental record." It doesn't cite any financial, membership or other records.

Ron DeFore, SUVOA communications director, said in the press release: "Last week's events underscore a dangerous irony: Huffington's irresponsible efforts to link SUV owners with Mideast terrorists actually are giving aid and comfort to domestic terrorists like those who torched the West Covina dealership... While Ms. Huffington and like-minded zealots have spent tens of thousands of dollars condemning SUV owners, they refuse to take any responsibility for providing moral cover for radical domestic terrorist groups that have been vandalizing SUVs, homes and apartment buildings."

The press release went on to say that DeFore "stressed the apparent environmental damage caused by the latest ELF attack on the California auto dealer", to wit, "According to Rick Genovese, fire marshal for West Covina: 'There's a lot more pollutants from the fire than the vehicles would pollute during their lifetime. There are hundreds of tons of pollutants that were spilled off.'"

No response was available from opposition groups.

Porsche Expands Cayenne Lineup

Porsche says it will introduce a third model, which will be powered by a six-cylinder engine. It will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September and go on sale in North America during the first half of 2004, according to a company press release.

Porsche says it will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 9.1 seconds and has a top test track speed of 133 mph (214 km/h).

The Cayenne will have a V-6 engine, the first ever offered in a Porsche, which has four valves per cylinder and produces 247 horsepower (SAE) at 6,000 rpm and 229 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,500 and 5,500 rpm.

It will also have the "Porsche Traction Management" permanent four-wheel drive system, "Porsche Stability Management" and air suspension.